Across the Atlantic they are called tires, while over here we use a “Y” and say tyres. This tag provides the latest tyre business news emanating from the United States of America (USA), whichever way you spell it.
Midas stores across the US will soon have access to Kumho brand tyres thanks to a new deal between the service retailer and Kumho Tire USA, reports Tire Review. The new “partnership program” reportedly gives rebates to Midas stores purchasing Kumho tyres, and tyre distributors will get a 1 per cent credit for administering the program.
In August 2010, Michelin signed a five-year tyre supply agreement with Cessna covering supply to the US aircraft manufacturer’s business jet range. The tyre maker now reports this agreement has been expanded to include supplying tyres for piston-engine aircraft. Under this enlarged agreement, Michelin tyres are now fitted on nearly all Cessna piston aircraft and most Citation business jets.
Prices for Continental’s passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyres in the US are scheduled to increase by up to 8.5 per cent on November 1. Continental Tire The Americas says this price rise, which applies to its Continental, General and proprietary brand tyres, is being implemented as “a response to the continuing rise in raw material cost.” Exact price increases will vary according to product line and size, and Continental adds that some in-line adjustments will occur.
County Donegal’s Ulster Tyre Company has announced it is to use the Cameo platform to establish a line into MIDaS B2B from Cam Systems. The new applications will enable the tyre wholesaler and retailer to streamline trade lines with its partners to support its ambitious growth plans. The company’s 50,000 sq ft site houses over 20 different brands of tyres, covering all segments. The decision to introduce the two platforms together is based on the company’s desire to increase customer connectivity, interaction and delivery, and to acquire effective tools for effective operations in the future.
Tire Group International has been named the fourth largest Hispanic owned exporter in the USA by Hispanic Business Magazine. Tony Gonzalez, TGI’s CEO said: “We are very excited and honoured by the ranking, it’s a true testament to the hard work and effort of our entire team, The Winning Team.”
Earlier this year, when the weather in Ivalo, Finland was more inclement than it normally is 300 kilometres north of the Artic circle, The Interstate Tire & Rubber Company held is fourth winter tyre customer event. Ice cold temperatures, 1.5 metres of fresh snow, the Northern Lights and excellent test facilities at the Testworld tyre and vehicle proving ground certainly providing an excellent environment to test the company’s products.
Ambulances across the Midlands will be driven on cold weather tyres this winter to enable crews to reach patients more safely. Both the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will use Michelin’s Agilis Alpin and Alpin 4 ranges across their fleets – a total 530 ambulances and 308 rapid response cars. The decision comes after the neighbouring trusts’ fleet managers compared standard tyres with cold weather tyres at a test day at the MIRA track in Warwickshire in June.
While the HGV trailer containing £50,000 worth of tyres stolen in Brierley Hill last month has now been found, police are still working to ascertain the tyres’ current location. According to Dudley Police, the articulated trailer was loaded with 650 Bridgestone tyres when it was stolen from CVT Vehicle Services on the weekend of July 16 to 17. These tyres were to be delivered to various vehicle manufacturers. According to Police Constable Ian Leech, who is leading the enquiry into the theft, the stolen tyres are marked with a red and yellow dot – indicating they cannot be sold on to independent retailers.
Visitors to next month’s CITExpo in China will be given the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest regulations in North America in China. Show organiser Reliable International Exhibition Services reports that officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the US Department of Transportation, the Chinese Tire Standardization and Technology Committee and the Chinese National Product Quality Bureau will hold a seminar during the show. “Professionals from the Chinese tyre manufacturers may take this unique opportunity to refresh their knowledge in ensuring their products to meet the required standards,” the organiser commented in a statement.
Autodata Limited has reported the death of managing director Tony Swiatek on the 24 July 2011 from cancer. Sharing the news with “deep regret and sadness”, company representatives said: “Tony was an inspirational leader and dedicated his enthusiasm to taking Autodata firmly into the digital age, doubling the size of the company and building it into the successful international business it is today.”
Fleet tyre management company Trucktyre has integrated Cam Systems’ recently launched casing management module into its UniSerV suite, leading to an increase in the speed and efficiency of its job card system and a 90 per cent reduction in its paper transfer. The module also eliminates double entries and improves data accuracy and tracking. Trucktyre says it processes 6,500 breakdown job cards each month.
Double Coin Tires and China Manufacturers Alliance have launched a refreshed US market website. In addition to providing a wider viewing area and all-new tyre imagery, the updated www.doublecoin-us.com website features a resource centre where information and reference material can be downloaded plus a customer testimonial page.
Ambest Service Centers, a 68-outlet chain of truck repair and facilities in the US, has signed a deal with Michelin Americas Truck Tires to stock the tyre maker’s range of Michelin and BFGoodrich brand products and for Michelin to offer tyre and emergency road service at many Ambest locations.
Today the Triangle Group will officially launch its new US research, development and sales company. The Shandong province, China-based company then intends to begin its activities in North America with the establishment of a research and development centre in Akron, Ohio; this will be followed by sales offices. Triangle has already hired its first local employee and intends to start its US operations with 30 new local employees – 10 in research and development and 20 in sales. The number of employees is expected to grow as Triangle further establishes its North American operation.
Despite receiving no lack of talent, HiQ says those wishing to become the fast fit network’s official ‘Grid Girl’ still have a chance. If you are suitably qualified – to be in with a chance you must be at least 18 years old and, presumably, female – entries are still being taken at the hiqonline.co.uk website until August 30.
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